Shelving unit furniture

ABSTRACT

Furniture articles have an integrally formed shell that generally has rounded features, the shell diminishing in circumference outwardly from a mounting surface, and a mounting portion configured to secure the shell to the mounting surface. A perimeter edge of the shell defines a mounting plane against which the mounting surface is to be secured. When the shell is secured to the mounting surface, the mounting portion is inaccessible and hidden from view. Furniture includes a shelving unit, a desk unit, a seating unit, and a bed.

This disclosure claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of the filing dateof U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/221,479 filed Jun. 29, 2009.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure is directed to molded furniture. In accordance withexample embodiments presented herein, the furniture is designed in sucha way so as to prevent a person, for example an inmate or patient in aninstitutional facility, from using the furniture as weapon or otherwiseto hurt themselves, or for hiding contraband.

In environments such as a prison or institutional facilities,conventional furniture can become a liability and a hazard to those whowork in, visit or are incarcerated/institutionalized in thosefacilities. Furniture that can be altered or from which parts can beremoved presents a safety issue, as these elements may be used directlyas or in the construction of weapons. Moreover, conventional furnituremay provide features that facilitate tightening, around the feature, ofmaterials used for hanging or choking. For example, a bed sheet may bewrapped around a conventional chair or portion thereof, facilitatingcreation of a noose that can be tightened by twisting. Further, manyconventional furniture features create problems for inspection, forexample by providing difficult-to-view or completely hidden areas on orin which items (e.g., contraband) can be secured. Institutionalfurniture created for have been unable to address all of these concerns,much less coextensively across many furniture types.

SUMMARY

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the specific features ofthe furniture address these concerns, providing safety, resilience, andease of installation. Embodiments of the furniture are disclosed havingan integrally formed shell that generally has rounded features, theshell diminishing in circumference outwardly from a mounting planedefined by a mounting perimeter of the shell, and a mounting portionconfigured to secure the shell to a mounting surface. When the shell issecured to the mounting surface, the mounting portion is inaccessibleand hidden from view. Examples of such furniture include a shelvingunit, a desk unit, a seating unit, and a bed as disclosed herein.

A shelving unit consistent with the disclosure includes a shelving unittop formed to slope downward from an upper portion of the mountingperimeter of the shelving unit toward a front portion of the shelvingunit; longitudinally parallel left and right shelving unit sides formedto slope toward each other from side portions of the mounting perimeterand each integrally connected to opposite ends of the shelving unit top;a shelving unit bottom formed to slope upward from a bottom portion ofthe mounting perimeter toward a front portion of the shelving unit andintegrally connected at opposite ends of the shelving unit bottom to theleft and right exterior shelving unit sides. The top, sides, and bottomof the shelving unit together form a rectangle that diminishes incircumference from the mounting perimeter to the front of the shelvingunit.

One or more shelves are formed between the top, bottom and sides of theshelving unit, each shelf having a shelf top surface, a shelf back wall,a shelf left-side wall, a shelf right-side wall, and a shelf bottomsurface that together define a shelf volume with a generally rectangulartransverse vertical cross-sectional area that grows in size from theshelf back wall toward the front of the shelving unit. The left-side andright-side shelf walls are angled away from each other away from theshelf back wall, and the shelf top surface is angled upward away fromthe shelf back wall. Each shelf back wall is formed nearly coplanar witha plane defined by the mounting perimeter.

A desk includes a substantially flat top surface extending from a firstwidth at a mounting side to a narrower second width of a front of thetop surface. A bullnose edge portion is integrally formed with anon-mounting perimeter portion of the top surface. A bottom portion isintegrally formed with a bottom of the bullnose edge and tapers inwardfrom sides of the top surface while tapering downward toward themounting wall from the front of the top surface. A shell rear hassupport ribs formed thereon and is configured to receive a mountingframe.

The mounting frame includes a substantially flat top support having theapproximate shape of the shell's top surface and a framework affixed toand providing structural support for the top support and providing themounting portion for attachment to the mounting wall.

A seating unit includes a seat portion having a generally cylindricalportion closed at a top end by a circular seat portion integrally formedtherewith. A cylinder-seat junction is generally rounded in a bullnose,and the cylindrical portion has an open bottom end configured tosecurely engage a mounting strap for securing the stool to a floorsurface. A wall-attachment portion has a seat attachment end configuredfor attachment to a side of the seating portion from the top end to thebottom end, the wall-attachment portion gradually sloping downward fromthe seat attachment end toward a wall-attachment end and graduallysloping inward at sides of the wall-attachment portion toward alongitudinal centerline thereof from the seat attachment end.

A bed unit includes a generally rectangular mattress pan having agenerally flat mattress pan base integrally formed with a beveledupward-sloping perimeter wall. The upward-sloping perimeter wall of themattress pan base forms the inside of a perimeter rail, which also has avertical outer perimeter wall that extends from a rail top to a levelbelow the mattress pan base. A floor-standing base is configured toreceive and support the mattress pan. The floor-standing base includes abase wall with four vertically oriented sides forming a rectangular walland has a top perimeter with dimensions substantially similar to themattress pan. Each side of the base wall includes alongitudinally-centered recess extending inwardly along a majority ofthe length of the corresponding base wall, and each recess has at threesides a bevel connecting a vertical recess wall with the base wall. Thefloor standing base also includes a floor-mount flange integrated withbottom portions of the base walls and recess walls and extendinguniformly inward along a bottom perimeter of the floor standing base.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given below and the accompanying drawings which aregiven by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of thepresent invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Shelving Unit consistent with someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a Shelving Unit consistent with someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a Shelving Unit consistent with someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a Shelving Unit consistent with someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a Shelving Unit consistent with some embodimentsdisclosed herein;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a Shelving Unit consistent with someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective section view of a Shelving Unit consistent withsome embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 8 is a detail cutaway view of the underside near the top of aShelving Unit consistent with some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view of a Shelving Unit consistent withsome embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 9A is a detail cutaway view of the underside near the bottom of aShelving Unit consistent with some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 9B is a detail cutaway view of the underside near the top of aShelving Unit consistent with some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 10 is a detail cutaway view of the underside near the bottom of aShelving Unit consistent with some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 11 is a perspective cutaway view of a Shelving Unit consistent withsome embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 12 is a perspective cutaway view of a Shelving Unit consistent withsome embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 12A is a detail cutaway view of the underside near the bottom of aShelving Unit and attachment portions consistent with some embodimentsdisclosed herein;

FIG. 12B is a detail cutaway view of the underside near the top of aShelving Unit and attachment portions consistent with some embodimentsdisclosed herein;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a Shelving Unit consistent with analternative embodiment disclosed herein;

FIG. 14 is a front top perspective view of a Desk Unit consistent withsome embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 15 is a bottom front perspective view of the Desk Unit of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a bottom front perspective view of a Desk Unit consistentwith other embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the Desk Unit of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a back view of the Desk Unit of FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the Desk Unit of FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the Desk Unit of FIG. 14;

FIG. 21A is a top plan view of the Desk Unit of FIG. 14;

FIGS. 21B and 21C are top/plan views of a Desk Unit according toalternative embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are bottom front perspective views of mounting framesfor a Desk Unit consistent with alternative embodiments disclosedherein;

FIG. 23 is a top rear perspective view of a Desk Unit with mountingframe consistent with some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 24 is a section view of the Desk Unit of FIG. 23 consistent withsome embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 25 is a top front perspective view of a mounting frame for a DeskUnit consistent with some embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 26A, 26B, and 26C are top front perspective, rear, and side viewsof an alternate mounting frame for a Desk Unit consistent with someembodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 27C are rear, side section, and detail views of amounting frame and Desk Unit consistent with some embodiments disclosedherein;

FIG. 28 is a bottom rear perspective view of a mold used in constructionof a Desk Unit consistent with some disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 29 is a front top perspective view of a Seating Unit consistentwith some disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 30 is a side view of a Seating Unit consistent with some disclosedembodiments;

FIG. 31A is a top/plan view of a Seating Unit consistent with somedisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 31B is a bottom view of the Seating Unit of FIG. 31 a;

FIG. 32 is a front top perspective view of a Stool consistent with somedisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 33 is a rear top perspective view of a Stool-Wall attachmentportion consistent with some disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 34 is a front top perspective view the Stool-Wall attachmentportion of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a front view facing a sloped portion of the Stool-Wallattachment portion of FIGS. 33-34;

FIG. 36A is a top/plan view of the Stool-Wall attachment portion ofFIGS. 33-35;

FIG. 36B is a bottom view of the Stool-Wall attachment portion of FIGS.33-36A;

FIG. 37 is a bottom plan view of a Seating Unit consistent with anotherdisclosed embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a top perspective view of a Seating Unit consistent withanother disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 39 is a bottom perspective view of the Seating Unit of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a bottom view of the Seating Unit of FIGS. 38-39;

FIG. 41A is a top/plan view of a Seating Unit including a Stool andStool-Wall attachment portion consistent with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 41B is a bottom view of the Seating Unit of FIG. 41A, including aStool and Stool-Wall attachment portion consistent with disclosedembodiments;

FIG. 42A is a top perspective view of the a Stool-Wall attachmentportion consistent with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 42B is a top/plan view of the Stool-Wall attachment portion of FIG.42A;

FIG. 42C is a bottom view of the Stool-Wall attachment portion of FIGS.42A, 42B.

FIG. 43 is a top perspective view of a floor-mounted Seating Unitconsistent with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 44A is a side view of the floor-mounted Seating Unit of FIG. 43;

FIG. 44B is a top/plan view of the floor-mounted Seating Unit of FIG.43;

FIG. 44C is a bottom view of the floor-mounted Seating Unit of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a bottom perspective view of the floor-mounted Seating Unitof FIG. 43 consistent with at least one disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a mold for manufacture of thefloor-mounted Seating Unit of FIG. 43;

FIG. 47 is a front top perspective view of a floor-mountable Bed Unit;

FIG. 48 is an end view of the floor-mountable Bed Unit of FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 is a side view of the floor-mountable Bed Unit of FIG. 47;

FIG. 50 is a front top perspective view of a mattress pan portion of thefloor-mountable Bed Unit consistent with some disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 51 is a front bottom perspective view of a mattress pan portion ofthe floor-mountable Bed Unit consistent with at least the embodiment(s)illustrated in FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a front top perspective view of a base portion of afloor-mountable Bed Unit consistent with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 53 is a front top perspective view of the base portion of FIG. 52with reinforcement structure;

FIG. 54 is a front top perspective view of a base portion for afloor-mountable Bed Unit according to alternative embodiments disclosedherein;

FIG. 55 is a longitudinal section view of the floor-mountable Bed Unitof FIG. 47;

FIG. 56 is a transverse cross-section view of the floor-mountable BedUnit of FIG. 47

FIG. 57 is a front top perspective view of a floor-mountable Bed Unitconsistent with some disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 58 is a front top perspective view of a base portion of thefloor-mountable Bed Unit of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a bottom view of the floor-mountable Bed Unit of FIG. 47;

FIG. 60 is a front top perspective of a wall-mountable Bed Unitconsistent with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 61 is a bottom view of the wall-mountable Bed Unit of FIG. 60;

FIG. 62 is a top front perspective view of a base portion of awall-mountable Bed Unit consistent with the disclosure;

FIGS. 63A and 63B are, respectively bottom front and top frontperspective views of a base portion of a wall-mountable Bed Unitconsistent with the disclosure;

FIG. 64 is a top front perspective view of a base portion and frame of awall-mountable Bed Unit consistent with the disclosure;

FIG. 65 is a bottom side perspective view of a frame and mattress pan ofa wall-mountable Bed Unit consistent with the disclosure;

FIG. 66 is a top/plan view of the wall-mountable Bed Unit consistentwith some disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 67 is a top front perspective view of a wall-mountable Bed Unitconsistent with some disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 68 is a top rear perspective view of a mattress pan consistent withsome embodiments of a wall-mountable Bed Unit;

FIG. 69 is a transverse cross-section view of the wall-mountable BedUnit of FIG. 67;

FIG. 70 is a transverse cross-section view of a wall-mountable Bed Unitconsistent with some disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 71 is a transverse cross-section view of the wall-mountable BedUnit of FIG. 60;

FIG. 72 is a transverse cross-section view of a wall-mountable Bed Unitaccording to a disclosed alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 73 is a transverse cross-section view of a wall-mountable Bed Unitaccording to another disclosed alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same orsimilar elements. Also, the following detailed description does notlimit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined bythe appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Disclosed embodiments include shelving units, desks, stools, and beds;however, common features are not limited to these embodiments and may beapplied in the design of other types of furniture. Additionally,specific examples are disclosed wherein the furniture is intended foruse in correctional facilities. However, the furniture is not limited tosuch use, and may be applied in any furniture setting, and particularlyto settings wherein safety of the user is of concern.

All of the furniture discussed herein may be molded from a material thatis highly fire retardant, and may when burned have properties of lowsmoke, low toxicity and low flame. Such properties may prevent a personfrom burning the furniture and further may reduce the risk of smoke andfume inhalation. The construction material may, for example, include afiberglass reinforced polymer using a thermal or other setting resin.The furniture may be molded by several methods including but not limitedto hand lamination, resin transfer molding using male and female moldswherein the resin is injected into the mold, sheet molding compound bypress molding with male and female dies, full mold casting (FMC) moldingprocess, etc.

Each furniture article generally shares physical properties of bluntfeatures and inaccessible mounting hardware when properly installed. Theshelving unit, desk, and stool further share a feature in which thearticle narrows in one or more aspects in a direction away from amounting surface. Such narrowing is intended to prevent a noose, cord,sheet, etc. from being tightened around a portion of the furniture forchoking or hanging; as the noose/etc. is tightened, it will slip towardnarrower portions of the furniture article and will eventually slide offthe furniture to prevent the intended harm. Further, each article may besecurely attached to a wall and/or floor in part to prevent its use as aweapon. Further still, the means for attaching the furniture to amounting surface is in most embodiments inaccessible once properlyinstalled.

Shelving Unit

FIGS. 1-13 depict a plurality of example embodiments of a shelving unit100. The shelving unit 100 may be formed in different heights and/orwidths accommodating one or more shelf portions 101, i.e., two, three,four five, etc., and may be installed by affixing the shelving unit 100to a wall of a prison cell or other institutional holding area, forexample. Due to the properties discussed herein and as shown in therelated figures, the shelving unit 100 is extremely difficult to removefrom a wall, thereby preventing an inmate or patient from removing theshelving unit from the wall and, for example, using the shelving unit asa weapon against another. In general, the shelving unit is constructedto have no exposed sharp corners when installed. Thus, all exposededges/corners have a bullnose shape. It will be appreciated that atleast one of the features discussed with one embodiment may be presentin another embodiment.

The shelving unit has one or more integrated shelf portions 101 as shownin FIG. 1. Each shelf portion 101 may taper inward into the shelf areatoward the wall on one or more sides. (I.e., a front width of the shelfmay have a larger dimension than a rear width of the shelf.) Wall-facingportions of the shelving unit forming a back shelf wall 106 in FIG. 2between shelf portions 101 may, when installed, have an adhesive appliedthereto so that when the shelving unit is installed by hanging on awall, the back shelf wall portion(s) 106 of the shelves may adhere tothe supporting wall. I.e., the shelving unit may be bonded to the wallto provide additional support for the shelf so that it may be moredifficult to remove the shelving unit from the wall.

The shelving unit may, in some embodiments, have no mounting components,e.g., bolts, that are accessible from the front or side of the shelvingunit, providing a tamper-proof shelving unit that is difficult toremove.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment having four integrated,equally-spaced shelf portions 101, although the shelves need not beequally spaced. Each shelf space includes the shelf space bottom 102, ashelf space top 103, left and right shelf space side walls 104, and ashelf space back wall 106. Each of the shelf space portions areintegrally formed together with the rest of the shelving unit. As bestseen in the top and bottom views in FIGS. 5 and 6, a front portion 114of the shelving unit is bowed outwardly (in the figures, toward the topof the page). When the shelving unit is properly installed, the shelfspace bottom 102 is substantially parallel to the floor and provides anarea roughly rectangular on side and rear edges with the front edgebowing outward at 114. The shelf space top 103 is similarly shaped, butslopes downward from the shelving unit's front portion 114 to the shelfspace back wall 106. This configuration aids quick inspection of shelfcontents even has a rear portion of the shelf. The shelf side walls 104and back wall 106 are substantially vertical with side walls 104 beingangled inward from the front of the shelving unit toward the back.

The top 108 of the shelving unit 100, as depicted in FIG. 4, may slopedownward toward the front portion 114 of the shelving unit. Thisarrangement may prevent or discourage someone from stepping on the top108 of the shelving unit in an attempt to dislodge it from the wall, mayprevent hiding things (e.g. contraband) on the top of the shelving unit,and/or may prevent wrapping cloth/cord/wire or other material around aportion of the shelving unit for purposes of hanging a person.Similarly, the shelving unit bottom 112 is angled downward from thefront portion 114 toward the mounting wall.

FIG. 3 illustrates the back of the shelving unit 100. The rear face 116of shelf back wall 106 and rear edge/perimeter 118 of the shelving unitare utilized in installation of the shelving unit. Each shelf back wall106 is formed not-quite-coplanar within near the mounting plane definedby perimeter 118 to accommodate mounting on walls that are not perfectlyflat. For example, each back wall 106 may extend within about 1/16″ ofthe mounting plane. Further, perimeter 118 may be trimmed duringinstallation to accommodate irregularities in the mounting wall. Inanother embodiment (not shown), each shelf back wall 106 may extendslightly beyond the mounting plane.

Installation of the shelving unit may include application of anelastomeric adhesive to the rear face 116 of shelf back wall 106. Eachshelf back wall 106 is then pressed against the mounting wall, therebybonding the shelving unit to the wall. Once the shelving unit is hung onthe wall and back portions of the shelving unit are adhered to the wall,the outer perimeter 118 may be caulked with a rigid, nonporous caulk,for example with a ⅜″ bead of epoxy, so that no access to any portion ofthe back of the shelving unit remains once the shelf is bolted, bondedto the wall, and caulked.

The back of the shelving unit 100 may include one or more mountingportions, wherein the shelving unit may be mounted to a wall bysuspending it, at one or more positions, from a clip that is secured tothe wall by an anchor 136 or from the anchor itself. The mountingportion may be integrally formed with the shelving unit.

FIGS. 7-12 include various embodiments of a mounting portion formechanically attaching the shelving unit to a wall. In some of thefigures anchors 136, bolts 139, and clips 134, 154, 174 are illustratedfor clarity, although embodiments of shelving unit 100 do notnecessarily require such hardware. Anchors and bolts 136, 139 areillustrated as hex-head; other configurations may be applied, however.

FIG. 7 is cut away near a center line of the shelving unit and showslower attachment boss 130 and upper attachment boss 132 integrallyformed at center portions of shelving unit bottom 112 and shelving unittop 108, respectively. In some embodiments, bosses 130 and 132 may beconfigured to securely receive a bolt 139.

During installation of some shelving unit embodiments, a hole is createdin a mounting wall by which a hanging clip 134 is attached with a wallanchor 136. FIG. 8 shows the arrangement in more detail. Hanging clip134 may be generally Z-shaped, one end having a hole for the anchor andthe other end having a tapered slot 138 for receiving boss 132 and bolt139. A flange of bolt 139 presses against the tapered slot end of thehanging clip 134. The anchor end of mounting clip 134 is configured tofit flush against the mounting wall, while the tapered slot end isconfigured to angle outward from the mounting wall. This arrangementeases installation and pulls the shelving unit 100 tightly against themounting wall of the boss 130, 132 and bolt 139 settle into the taperedslot 138.

FIG. 8 also illustrates structural support ribs 128 positioned betweenexterior walls and interior structures (e.g., rear portions of eachshelf) at the rear of the shelving unit to increase rigidity and reduceflex. See also FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 9A, and 9B, shelving unit 100may include at least one lower attachment tab 140 and at least one upperattachment boss/slot 142 integrally formed with the shelving unit. Inthis embodiment, all anchors 136 may engage directly with upper andlower attachment tabs and bosses/slots without need for hanging clips orbolts. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, an upper attachmentboss/engagement portion may have a cross-member configured to engage aslotless hanging clip 154. The slotless hanging clip 154 is identical tohanging clip 134 except for the exclusion of tapered slot. That is, theend of the hanging clip 154 not having an anchor hole has a straight,non-slotted edge.

In yet another embodiment, shelving unit 100 may includeexterior-accessible attachment recesses 160, 162. A lower attachmentrecess 160 is formed in shelving unit bottom 112 having a diagonallytruncated cylinder shape. Similarly, an upper attachment recess 162 isformed in shelving unit top 108 having a diagonally truncated cylindershape.

In yet another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 12, 12A, 12B a lowerattachment boss 170 extends only part-way to the mounting wall providingroom for a right-angle boss clip 174 to be attached by a bolt or screw139 to the lower attachment boss 170. Similarly an upper attachment boss172 to extends part-way to the mounting wall providing room for a bossclip 174 to be attached by a bolt or screw 139 in the upper attachmentboss 172. One side of boss clip 174 includes a hole for receiving a boltor screw for attachment to an attachment boss 170, 172 whereas theopposite, portion of boss clip 174 includes a slot configured to receivea slotless hanging clip 154 that is attached to a mounting wall byanchor 136. Hanging clip 154 is as described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, it is anticipated that shelving unit 100 mayinclude more than one mounting portion at a top 108 or bottom 112.

Desk Unit

FIGS. 14-28 depict a plurality of example embodiments of a desk. A deskunit 200 has a top surface 202 in FIG. 14 that may taper from the backof the desk (at the wall) to the front edge 210 of the desk. Because ofthis taper, a person cannot wrap any cloth or any other material aroundthe desk for the purposes of hanging themselves. The desk's top surface202 further may, when installed, have an angle downward from the wall(for example less than 10 degrees, e.g., 2-4 degrees).

Right and left edges 204, 206 and front edge 210 of the top surface 202shown in FIG. 14 are generally rounded to provide a blunt or bullnoseedge, while corners 208 are rounded as a radius to prevent injury.

FIG. 15 illustrates a lower portion of desk 200 including a bottom frontsurface 214 which slopes gradually downward from front edge 210 to lowerportion of a mounting perimeter 220. In certain embodiments a kneerecess 212 is included in the recess may began directly under front edge210 and slopes downward towards a lower portion of mounting perimeter220 at a greater curvature than bottom front surface 214. Knee recess212 provides a concave space allowing a closer sitting position for theuser. FIG. 16 illustrates the lower front surface 214, without a kneerecess.

FIG. 17 illustrates the desk 200 shown in a downward sloped curvature ofbottom side surfaces 216. It is clear from this figure that the desktapers from a wide mounting perimeter toward front edge 210. Knee recess212 as in FIG. 17 has an almost semicircular profile. It is to beappreciated, however, that the knee recess 212 may include otherless-rounded profiles. The rear view of desk 200 in FIG. 18 illustratesrear surface 218 of mounting perimeter 220. The rear surface 218 definesa mounting plane (best envisioned at the bottom of FIG. 19 and rightside of FIG. 20) intended to be mounted against a mounting surface. Atmanufacture, the mounting plane is flat. However, to accommodateirregularities in a mounting surface such as a wall, surface 218 of themounting perimeter may be trimmed.

As can be seen from the other example embodiments in the figures (e.g.,FIGS. 21A to 21C), the shape of the top surface of the desk may bevaried. The corners of the top surface of the desk may be more or lessrounded. The top surface of the desk may be more or less tapered butsufficient to prevent a user from wrapping any material around the deskin order to hang him/herself.

In FIGS. 21A and 21B left and right edges 204, 206 are substantiallystraight, while in FIG. 21C edges 204, 206 are slightly curved. Frontcorners 208 may include a range of radii. For example, the top surface202 in FIG. 21A utilizes corners 208 of medium radius, the top surface202 in FIG. 22B utilizes corners 208 of larger radius, and top surface202 in FIG. 21C utilizes corners 208 of small radius. The illustrateddesktop surfaces are shown by way of example only, and do not limit theshape or arrangement of the desktop.

The desk, at installation, may include a mounting frame 250 including awooden or composite top surface support 252 affixed to a steel orcomposite support structure shown in FIGS. 22A, 22B and may be mountedby the support structure to a mounting wall. The support structure inone embodiment includes vertical wall plates 254, angled support members256 horizontal support member 258, and horizontal wall plates 262. Eachvertical wall plate 254 is configured to be mounted directly against themounting wall, is connected at an upper end to a horizontal wall plate262, and is connected near a lower end to angled support member 256.Angled support member 256 is connected at a lower end to the verticalwall plate 254 and at an upper end is connected to a first end ofhorizontal support member 258. A second end of horizontal support number258 is connected to horizontal wall plate 262. FIG. 22B illustrates anembodiment wherein instead of two separate horizontal wall plates 262, asingle horizontal wall plate 264 extends from one vertical wall plate254 to the other. Top surface support 252 may be provided in a shapecorresponding to the particular shape of the top surface 202.

The desk 200 may be bonded to the top surface support 252 using, e.g.,an elastomeric adhesive. FIG. 23 illustrates an assembled desk 200 andmounting frame 250. FIG. 23 also illustrates ribs 270 which may bedisposed along bottom side surfaces 216 to provide additional flexuralrigidity and to additionally secure the desk 200 to the mounting frame250.

The steel/composite frame of the desk may be attached to the wall using,e.g., bolts/anchors, brackets, etc. and employing, for example, anchorholes 260 located at various points along vertical wall plate 254 and/orhorizontal wall plate(s) 262, 264. The perimeter of the desk may besealed using, e.g., epoxy caulk. As such, no access may be made towall-facing portions of the desk once the desk is installed. The deskmay have no components (e.g., bolts) that are accessible from the frontor side of the desk providing a tamper-proof desk that is difficult toremove.

In another embodiment of a mounting frame, 280, a back panel 282 isattached to frame side panels 288 which project forward from the backpanel 282 toward a front of the desk. Side panels 288 may be providedwith a taper in both lateral and vertical directions. At least top frontand top rear channels 284, 286 are connected at ends thereof to a topportion of the side panels 288, to provide support for a top surface 202of a desk. Joints connecting the top front and top rear channels 284,286 to the side panels 288 may be flush and smooth. The back panel 282may be provided with an access notch 283 and a lock notch at sideportions for engagement with a mounting plate 290 (shown in FIG. 26A).

FIGS. 26A-26C depict mounting plate 290 includes main support body 291,a top forwardly displaced strip 294 configured to engage an edge of theback panel 282, forwardly displaced side strips 296 and guide tabs 298depending therefrom at sides of the main support body 291, and mountingholes 292. The mounting plate may further include a lock tab 299.

The mounting plate 290 may be fixed to a mounting wall by adhesive,anchor bolts, etc. such that the forwardly displaced strips aredisplaced outwardly from the mounting surface, providing a path behindwhich portions of the back panel 282 by slide. Guide tabs 298 may aid ininstallation of the mounting frame 280 to the mounting plate 290. Accessnotches 283 fit around upper forwardly displaced side strips 296 duringinstallation. Side and top edges of the center cutout of the back panelengage the forwardly displaced strips 294, 296 sliding behind thestrips. The lock notch(es) 289 of the back panel slide past lock tab(s)299 of the mounting plate during installation and may thus be difficultto move back in the same direction as the lock tab then preventsmovement of the back panel in that direction.

FIGS. 27A-27C show a completed assembly including mounting plate 290,mounting frame 280, and desk 200.

Seating Unit

FIGS. 29-46 depict a plurality of example embodiments and portions of aseating unit, including a stool and/or a wall-attachment portion.

The stool 300 may comprise a round stool top 312 joining a cylindricalwall 314, at a rounded edge 313. The stool may have an add-onwall-attachment portion 320 that connects with the stool at a stoolconnection portion 322 and to a wall at a wall-attachment portion 324.This arrangement may prevent one from wrapping a cloth or othermaterials around the stool thereby preventing someone from hanginghim/herself. As shown in FIG. 29, the stool 310 may connect to awall-attachment portion 320 at a connection portion 322. Thewall-attachment portion 320 may be attached to a wall at portion 324.Further, the stool 310 and the wall-attachment portion 320 may beattached to the floor respectively at a stool-floor junction 316 and afloor junction 328, 359, 369. By installing the stool 310 in conjunctionwith the wall-attachment portion 320, a prisoner may be prevented fromremoving the stool 310 and/or the wall-attachment portion 320 from thefloor/wall, thus preventing use as a weapon.

As can be seen from FIG. 29 and others, the wall-attachment portion 320tapers toward the wall-attachment portion 324. In another embodimentshown in FIG. 38, the sloped transition area 355 is more curved. Thetaper/sloped transition area prevents a user from wrapping a cloth orother material around the stool 310 in an attempt to hang him/herself,as the cloth or other material would slip off over the top of the stool.

In alternative embodiments (FIGS. 41A-41B, 42A-42C) having a separatestool 310 and wall-attachment portion 360, the wall-attachment portion360 is configured to attach to a stool 310 at a stool connection portion362. The stool connection portion 362 may be somewhat less bulky orobtrusive in certain embodiments than others. A wall-attachment end 368may be configured to connect to a wall while stool attachment end 366may be configured for attachment to a stool. The alternative embodimentof the wall-attachment portion 360 may be sealed to a floor at floorjunction 369.

Alternatively, the stool 310 and the wall-attachment portion 320 may bemolded together as a unitary seating unit 350 as shown in FIGS. 38-40.In this case, stool wall 352 a merges with wall-attachment sidewall 352b at a stool-attachment junction 358. The wall-attachment portion 320may be unattached to a wall at 324. It may be appreciated that thewall-attachment portion may be shaped in a different manner and taperedin such a way that material may not be wrapped around it to permit aprisoner to hang themselves. In FIGS. 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, thewall-attachment portion has a generally U-shaped transversecross-section, whereas in FIGS. 38-39 the wall-attachment portion has agenerally parabolic transverse cross-section. However, thewall-attachment portion is not limited to these shapes. As shown in FIG.39, the wall-attachment portion may include support ribs 356 to aidflexural rigidity. Although the ribs 356 are shown disposed as flat,transversely formed portions, support structures/ribs may includevarious other configurations (e.g., diagonal, triangular, etc.).

Other embodiments of the stool 310 are depicted in FIGS. 43-45. Afloor-mounted seating unit 370 includes a top seat surface 372, a stoolwall 374 which descends in an increasingly ovalish truncated-cone shapefrom the seat surface 372 to the floor. On one side 376 the stool wallslopes in a gradual linear manner while at the other side 378 the stoolwall slopes in a sharp linear manner. A mounting perimeter in FIG. 44Chas a floor junction 379 for connection with the floor and around whicha sealant may be disposed. To aid in attachment to a floor, the seatingunit 370 may include a mounting band 380 in FIG. 45 which may aid inattachment to a vertical band fixed to a floor. As can be seen in FIG.32, the stool 310 may be used alone—having no wall-attachment portion.The stool 310 may be tapered upwardly so that if prisoners wrapped acloth or other material around the stool in an attempt to hangthemselves, the cloth or material would slip off. The stool may beaffixed to the floor so that it may not be removed from the floor.

The stool or seating unit 310, 340 (FIG. 37), 350, 360 and/orwall-attachment unit 320 may be installed to a floor using bolts orother known attachment configurations. The lower perimeter of the stoolmay be sealed against the floor using, e.g., epoxy. As such, no accessmay be made to the underside portion of the stool and/or attachment unitonce they are installed.

Floor-Mountable Bed Unit

FIGS. 47-59 depict a plurality of example embodiments of afloor-mountable bed. As depicted in FIG. 47, floor-mountable bed 400 mayinclude a mattress pan 410, and a base pedestal 430 configured tosupport the mattress pan. The mattress pan 410 may include a mattresspan base 412 disposed horizontally and providing a surface upon which toplace a mattress. An upward-sloping perimeter wall 415 is integrallyformed around mattress pan base 412 and forms the inside of a perimeterrail 414. A vertical outer perimeter wall 416 forms the outside ofperimeter rail 414. Transitions from perimeter walls 415, 416 and a topof the rail have rounded edges 418.

An underside of the mattress pan 410 shown in FIG. 51 may include aplurality of support ribs 420 projecting inward from the underside ofouter perimeter wall 416 to perimeter wall 415 and includes generallyvertical members disposed intervals.

A base pedestal 430, illustrated in FIGS. 52-54, includes a base wallwith four vertically oriented sides forming a generally rectangular basewall 432. Each side of the rectangular wall may include a recess 436,438. In general, base pedestal 430 may be symmetrical about alongitudinal center axis. That is, longitudinal recess 436 may besymmetrically implemented on both long sides of base pedestal 430, andshort end recess 438 may be symmetrically implemented on both shortsides of base pedestal 430. Each recess 436, 438 extends inwardly alonga majority of the length of the corresponding rectangular base wall 432from a center portion of each side of the base pedestal 430. A floormounting flange 442 extends inwardly around a bottom portion of the basepedestal 430. The floor mounting flange 442 may be used for affixing thebase pedestal to the floor with adhesive or by other means (e.g.,mechanical means). Corner posts 434 a, 434 b are formed by the recesses436, 438 and rectangular base walls 432. A bevel 440 marks a transitionbetween each rectangular base wall 432 and corresponding recess wall 436or 438. Each recess 436, 438 may provide an area 444 for a locker 460(shown in later Figures).

Interior portions of rectangular base walls 432 and/or walls of recesses436, 438 may include longitudinal support guides 446 or transversesupport guides 448 respectively configured to accommodate longitudinalsupports 450 or transverse supports 454. Longitudinal support guides 446disposed at a lower inner face of vertical walls of short end recesses438, and transverse support guides 448 may be located on the upper bevelof an inner portion of longitudinal recess 436. According to someembodiments, support guides are provided for two longitudinal supports450 and five transverse supports 454. However, other embodiments mayinclude support guides and/or corresponding supports for zero or moresupports in either longitudinal or transverse directions. Eachlongitudinal support 450 may include slots 452 for interlocking withtransverse supports 454 as best viewed in FIG. 55.

A mattress pan and base may be joined at a mattress pan to base joint456, which may comprise a lap joint (FIG. 56) or other joint type.

As shown in FIGS. 56-58, when a locker 460 is utilized, a hole is openedin a locker area 444 of the vertical wall of recess 436 or 438 toaccommodate the locker. The locker 460 includes a roof 462 slopingdownward from the side-facing opening of the locker toward a back wallof the locker. Similarly, a locker floor 464 slopes downward from anopening toward a rear wall of the locker. It may be appreciated that oneor more lockers may be included in the lower bed unit.

Wall-Mountable Bed Unit

FIGS. 60-74 depict a plurality of example embodiments of awall-mountable bed 500. Wall-mountable bed 500 as depicted in FIG. 60may be mounted to a wall at one or more sides. Additionally oralternatively, the bed may be bonded to the wall(s) using an adhesive.Additionally or alternatively, the bed may be affixed and/or bonded tothe floor.

The upper bed may include a base 530, a frame 570, and a mattress pan510 as depicted in the figures. The base 530 of the wall-mountable bed500 may be formed to allow no access to the frame of the bed when it isproperly installed. This prevents use of the bed as a means to harm theuser.

In a first embodiment, wall-mountable bed 500 includes a mattress pan510 in the base 530. The base 530 includes generally planar horizontalmember 532 from which support recesses 534 project upward each up forprojecting support recess 534 including a horizontal surface integratedwith longitudinal support bevels 536 and transverse support bevels 538which transition to horizontal member 532. In addition, a horizontalaccess bevel 540 may be formed along an exterior bottom edge.

In some embodiments, for example shown in FIG. 62, support ribs 544extend inward from a base perimeter wall 542 and between supportrecesses 534.

In other embodiments, for example shown in FIGS. 63A-63B, a short baseperimeter wall 552 may extend around one or more sides of the base unit550.

Frame 570 comprises longitudinal channels 572 and transverse channels574 arranged to form a rectangular of similar size to the perimeter ofbase unit 550. Longitudinal and transverse channels 572, 574 may beformed of steel channel or composite material. In some embodiments,exterior portions of one or more of the longitudinal and transversechannels 572, 574 may include means for attaching the frame to a wall orwalls. For example, anchor bolts 576 may be disposed at intervals alongwall-facing channels. FIG. 64 illustrates one embodiment, where twosides include means for wall attachment.

FIG. 65 illustrates an embodiment of a mattress pan 520 and frame 570from a bottom perspective. It is noted that mattress pan 520 forattachment with frame 570 includes an outer vertical wall that does notextend around sides which will be mounted to a wall. It is to beappreciated that a mattress pan 520 having a full outer vertical wallmay by trimmed during installation to remove mounting-side portions, orthe mattress pan may be formed without the sides. FIG. 67 shows theembodiment of FIG. 65 with the addition of a base unit 550. Mattress pan520 is shown alone in FIG. 68. Rear edge 529 of the mattress pan doesnot include a vertical wall portion in order to accommodate a directwall attachment to a frame portion. Cross sectional view FIG. 69 bestillustrates the supporting nature of the support recess 555. Supportrecess 555 provides additional rigidity to a mattress pan base 522 ofmattress pan 520.

In an alternative embodiment, the base 520 b of the wall mount bed unitis substantially similar to the mattress pan 520 a. Although shownspaced apart in FIG. 70, the mattress pan base 522 and its analog forbase 520 b may be extended so that the touch providing additionalsupport.

FIG. 71 illustrates cross-section of a wall-mountable bed that does notutilize a frame. Mattress pan 510 and base 530 together form a bedhaving a large perimeter wall that can be adhesively connected directlyto the wall. Additional support ribs 519 and 544 strengthen the bed forsuch purposes. Access bevel 540 may be desirable for safety and the bedis used as, for example, an upper bunk. This embodiment may also beutilized in a floor-standing installation. However, the embodimentdisclosed in FIG. 72 may also be appropriate with its non-beveled edge548. FIG. 73 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which no frame isutilized and in which both upper mattress pan 510 and lower portion 510a sides are substantially identical. Joint portion 517 may be configuredto accommodate such embodiment.

The embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the samemay be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded asdeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of furniture is a shelving unit havinga top, bottom, front, back, left and right sides comprising: anintegrally formed shell having generally rounded corners, the shelldiminishing in circumference outwardly from a mounting plane defined bya mounting perimeter of the shell; and the shelving unit top formed toslope downward from the mounting perimeter of the shelving unit toward afront portion of the shelving unit; longitudinally parallel left andright shelving unit sides formed to slope toward each other from sidesof the mounting perimeter and each integrally connected to opposite endsof the shelving unit top; a shelving unit bottom formed to slope upwardfrom a bottom portion of the mounting perimeter toward the front portionof the shelving unit and integrally connected at opposite ends of theshelving unit bottom to the left and right exterior shelving unit sides,wherein the top, sides, and bottom of the shelving unit together forminga rectangle that diminishes in circumference from the mounting perimeterto the front of the shelving unit; and one or more shelves formedbetween the top, bottom and sides of the shelving unit, each shelfhaving a shelf top surface, a shelf back wall, a shelf left-side wall, ashelf right-side wall, and a shelf bottom surface, defining a shelfvolume with a generally rectangular transverse vertical cross-sectionalarea that expands from the shelf back wall toward the front of theshelving unit, the left-side and right-side shelf walls angleddivergently away from the shelf back wall, the shelf top surface angledupward away from the shelf back wall, wherein each shelf back wall isformed generally coplanar with the mounting plane a mounting portionconfigured to secure the shell to a mounting surface at the mountingplane, the mounting surface is a mounting wall; and wherein when theshell is secured to the mounting surface, the mounting portion comprisesa rear surface of at least one shelf back wall and is inaccessible. 2.The article of claim 1, wherein the shell is unitarily molded from anon-porous, fire-retardant, composite material.
 3. The article of claim1, wherein the mounting portion comprises one or more attachmentprojections formed at a backside of the shelving unit bottom and at abackside of the shelving unit top, the attachment projections engagingmounting hardware for attachment to the mounting wall.
 4. The article ofclaim 3, wherein the mounting hardware comprises: a bolt or screw forengagement with a mounting hole; and a z-shaped hanging clip having atone end a generally v-shaped cutout engaging a head portion of each boltor screw and having at another end an opening configured to accommodatea wall anchor for securing the hanging clip to the mounting wall.
 5. Amethod of mounting the article of claim 4, comprising: engaging thebolt(s) or screw(s) with each mounting hole; securing the hanging clipsto the mounting wall corresponding to each bolt or screw; applying anadhesive on a back portion of at least one shelf rear wall; engagingeach bolt or screw with the corresponding hanging clip therebysuspending the shelving unit from the hanging clips against the mountingwall; pressing an adhesive-coated at least one back portion against themounting wall; and caulking the mounting perimeter.
 6. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the shelf rear wall is formed beyond the mountingplane.
 7. The article of claim 6, wherein the shelf rear wall is formedapproximately 1/16 inch behind the mounting plane.
 8. An article offurniture is a shelving unit having a top, bottom, front, back, left andright sides comprising: an integrally formed shell having generallyrounded corners, the shell diminishing in circumference outwardly from amounting plane defined by a mounting perimeter of the shell; and theshelving unit top formed to slope downward from the mounting perimeterof the shelving unit toward a front portion of the shelving unit;longitudinally parallel left and right shelving unit sides formed toslope toward each other from sides of the mounting perimeter and eachintegrally connected to opposite ends of the shelving unit top; ashelving unit bottom formed to slope upward from a bottom portion of themounting perimeter toward the front portion of the shelving unit andintegrally connected at opposite ends of the shelving unit bottom to theleft and right exterior shelving unit sides, wherein the top, sides, andbottom of the shelving unit together forming a rectangle that diminishesin circumference from the mounting perimeter to the front of theshelving unit; and one or more shelves formed between the top, bottomand sides of the shelving unit, each shelf having a shelf top surface, ashelf back wall, a shelf left-side wall, a shelf right-side wall, and ashelf bottom surface, defining a shelf volume with a generallyrectangular transverse vertical cross-sectional area that expands fromthe shelf back wall toward the front of the shelving unit, the left-sideand right-side shelf walls angled divergently away from the shelf backwall, the shelf top surface angled upward away from the shelf back wall,wherein each shelf back wall is formed generally coplanar with themounting plane; a mounting portion configured to secure the shell to amounting surface at the mounting plane, the mounting surface is amounting wall; and wherein when the shell is secured to the mountingsurface, the mounting portion comprises one or more attachmentprojections formed at a backside of the shelving unit bottom and at abackside of the shelving unit top, the attachment projections engagingmounting hardware for attachment to the mounting wall, and the mountingportion is inaccessible.
 9. An article of furniture is a shelving unithaving a top, bottom, front, back, left and right sides comprising: anintegrally formed shell having generally rounded corners, the shelldiminishing in circumference outwardly from a mounting plane defined bya mounting perimeter of the shell; and the shelving unit top formed toslope downward from the mounting perimeter of the shelving unit toward afront portion of the shelving unit; longitudinally parallel left andright shelving unit sides formed to slope toward each other from sidesof the mounting perimeter and each integrally connected to opposite endsof the shelving unit top; a shelving unit bottom formed to slope upwardfrom a bottom portion of the mounting perimeter toward the front portionof the shelving unit and integrally connected at opposite ends of theshelving unit bottom to the left and right exterior shelving unit sides,wherein the top, sides, and bottom of the shelving unit together forminga rectangle that diminishes in circumference from the mounting perimeterto the front of the shelving unit; and one or more shelves formedbetween the top, bottom and sides of the shelving unit, each shelfhaving a shelf top surface, a shelf back wall, a shelf left-side wall, ashelf right-side wall, and a shelf bottom surface, defining a shelfvolume with a generally rectangular transverse vertical cross-sectionalarea that expands from the shelf back wall toward the front of theshelving unit, the left-side and right-side shelf walls angleddivergently away from the shelf back wall, the shelf top surface angledupward away from the shelf back wall, wherein each shelf back wall isformed generally coplanar with the mounting plane; a mounting portionconfigured to secure the shell to a mounting surface at the mountingplane, the mounting surface is a mounting wall; and wherein when theshell is secured to the mounting surface, the is inaccessible and theshelf rear wall is formed beyond the mounting plane.